Manifolding device.



F. C. NIGKOL & M. G. STERN. MANIFOLDING DEVICE l APPLIOATIONTILBDMAB.. 27, 1911. 1,015,581.I

Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

-a SHEETS-SHEET 1 arroz-nc F. C. NICKOL & M. G. STERN. 'MANIFOLDING Dvm.

APPLIOATION FILED MAILZ?. 1911 Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. C. NIGKL & M. c. STERN.

MANIPOLDING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 27, 1911.

Patented Janfz, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

'i States, residing at Dayton, in the county 'ot Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invent- :UNTTED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

FREDEQIC C. NICKOL AND MILTON C. STERN, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS T0 THE- EGRY REG-ISTEgRCOMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO. I

MANIEoLpINe DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.`

Patented Jan. 23, l1912.

,Application iled March 27, 1911'.y -Serial No. 517,076.

To all lwhom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK C. NICKOL and MILTON .Q STERN, citizens of the Unlted ed certain new and useful Improvements in Manifolding Devices, of which the follow-y ing is a specification, "referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.I

This invention relates to manifolding devices, and the object of the invention is to provide a manifolding device with means for feeding forward thev several webs of paper a distance sufficient to cause those portions of the webs containing the wrlting or record to project beyond the end of the table to enable the same to be detached from the webs; to provide means for gripping the paper prior to the outward movement of the .feeding device and for releasing the same prior to the return movement of the feeding device: and also to provide means for holding the several webs of paper against rearward movement when the feeding device is returned to its normal position, for maintaining the several webs of paper taut upon the writing table and for holding the same against lateral displacement.

It is a further objectof the invention to provide tension devices for each web of paper which may be individually adjusted and which may be actuated by a common throwctt to simultaneously release all the webs.

It is also an object of the invention to so construct the device as a whole that it will be exceedingly simple in its operation and of such a strong, durable character that it will b e little liable to in the handset` a careless operator.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a manifolding de- Y vice embodying our invention; Fig. -2 .is a.

'perspective view, on a larger scale, of the rear .lend of such a device; Fig. 3 is a4 sectional view, taken longitudinally of such' device Fig. 4 isa sectional view of a pon.

tion of the device showing the" operating mechanism `:for the paper Ycarriage and Y grip view, showing the gripping devices in 'their operative positions; '6 'is a 'detail viewv o'one of-the forwardtension fans; 'Fig'.-T

is a perspective viewof the forward endf of; the devicewith the .paper eedinlggcarria'ge.. advanced; Fig. 8 is a transverse;,sectional L view f the same; and Fig. 9 is a sectional, detail View' of the stop forV the feeding mechanism.

In these drawings wehave illustrated one embodiment of our invention and have shown the same as comprising a main frame consisting of side members. 1 connected one to theother by transverse rods 2 and 3 and mounted in a suitable-casing A. This frame is'provided with la Hat top 4 constituting a writing table( .The paper upon which the record is to be written is preferably supplied in the form of rolls 5 which are mounted beneath the writing table on rods or shafts 6 which extend through openings in. one of the side members of the main frame and are screw-threaded into corresponding openings in the other side member. Preferably each rod is provided on that end opposite the screwthreaded end with a milled head 7 to facilitate the insertion and removal thereof. The webs of papen'which are in. dicated at 8, are carried from the respective rolls rearward and upward about guides 9 and 9a, -thence forward across the writing table 4t. The several webs are superimposed one `upon thebther and sheets of carbon' 4paper are interposed between them in the usual manner so that any record which may be written upon the uppermost web will be Jtransferred tothe other webs. The number,

of webs employed is controlled by the numv ber of' records it is desired to make. vThe present machine is adapted for use with as manyas-four webs, but a larger or smaller number may be employed if desired. Ordinarily, the webs are provided with printed forms upon which therecord is written, and= in order thatl each web may receive the record on the proper part of the form, it is necessaryjhat the websk be maintained in theirv ,proper relative positions. After the record `has been writtenfon the forms fthese are' fed 'beyond the end ofthe'table and detached L Vtroln the webs, suitable feeding mechanism` beingprovided for this purpose. This feedinglmeehanism is of such a character that it .-,feed'the several webs forward simulta -neously and equal distances. In the par..- -tijcularorm of device here shown a paper. feeding 'carriageis movably supported near the forward edge o'f the Writin' table. 'paper feedin vcarriage prefera 1y comprises a'l'ower mem r 10 and an upper member 11 arranged vsubstantially parallel thereto and in ,alinement with the webs. of paper' spaced away from the upper surface thereof to form a horizontal slot which is supported the paper may be more readilyl threaded" I through' the slot between the upper and -retain the two members normally lower members the upper member is preferably connected at one end to the lower member on a vertical axis and is provided at its other vend with a fastening device to parallel. As-hereshown, this fastening devlce comprises av linger 12 pivotally mounted in a slot formed in the free end of the upper member 11 of the carriage and adapted vto enter a corresponding slot in the lower member and having a shoulder 13 to engage the edge of saidlower member and retain the finger 12 within the slot therein."

Suitable operating mechanism is provided to'move the paper carriage away from the writin paper orward and to return the same to its normal position. In the present construction the lower member or bar ofthe carriageis secured `to a bar 14 mounted in suitable guideways secured to 'and extending longitudinally to the lower side of the writing table4. Mounted on the bar 14 is a l l. rackbar 15 which gis capable of a limited longitudinal movement relatively to the bar 14 and to the carriage. To this end the rack bar is preferably provided in each side with one or more slots 16 into which extend guides.V 17 which are rigidly secured to supporting bar 14 for the carriage. The

f rack baris actuated by the. gear 18'mounted on a shaft 19 journaled in the side members 1 of the main frame and having a handle 20 for rotating the same. The paper feeding carriage is provided with gripping devices, by means of which the paper is secured thereto during the forward movement thereof. These gripping devices are so connected with the actuating mechanism for the car- `riage thatthey will be caused to grip the paper immediately prior to the forward movement-ofthe carriage .and to release the same immedlately prior to the rearward movement of the carriage. As here shown these gripplng devices comprise plungers 21l slidably mounted in vertical ,openings 1n the lower'member 11 of the carriage. `There may be any suitable number of these pluners, and, in the present device, .wehave fs own two. Each plunger is connected by means of a link 22 with a crank 'arm 23 whichl Is rlgidly securedto a rockshaft 24 journaled in bearing brackets 25 ri 'dly se-- cured to 'the -carria e. The rocks aft, in turn, is provided wit .-a crank arm 26 which is connected bya link ,27 with a linger 28 rigidly' secured to the rack bar 15. By

tablel to feed the several webs ofthe `being fed forward. f

means of this connection any movement of 'the rack bar relatively to the carriage is transmitted to the gripping devices or plungers 21, and, when this movement is toward the carriage, the plungers have moved upward into. engagement with the paper which extends through the slot in the carriage and this paper is gripped rmly between the plunger and the upper member 11 of the carriage. To give the plungers a better hold on the paper and to prevent any liability lof the paper slipping the plungers are preferably provided with reduced upper portions orpins 29. To facilitate the piercing of the paper by the pins 29 the upper member 11 of the carriage is provided with recesses or apertures 30 arranged in alinement with the pins. It will be noted that when the first movement is imparted to the rack bar l5 by the pinion 18 this rack bar will be moved 'forward relatively to the carriage, thereby rocking the shaft and causing the plungers to grip the paper.

The forward movement of the rack is limited, and, as soon as this limit is reached and the'rack can have no further movement relatively to the carriage, the latter is caused to,

move along with the rack and the paper is fed forward beyond the writing table. The forward movement of the rack may be limited in any suitable manner, but in the present instance we rely upon the plungers 2 1 for this purpose. When theselplungers are in engagementwith the paper in the slot of the carriage they are locked against further movement; and, consequently, the connecting'parts and the rack bar are also locked against further movement in a forward direction. By thus utilizing the plungers to limit the movement of the rack bar we are enabled to maintain a constant pressure on the plungers during the forward movement of the carriage and thus maintain the same in firm engagement with the paper which is The forward movement of the carriage is controlled by a suitable stop which may be regulated to adjust this movement to accommodate the device to forms of di'erent length. In the present instance Va rod .31 is rigidly secured to the carriage and' extends rearwardly through a suitable guide 32. This guide also acts as afixed stop and coperates lwith a stop 33 to check the forward movement of the carriage. This latter stop is preferably in the form of an apertured block having a hollow lateral extension 34 in which is mounted a spring-pressed pin 35 adapted to engage any one of a series of recesses 36 formed in one side of the rod 31 and provided 'on its outer end with a head 37 by means of' which it may be manipulated to permit the stop to bev moved from one recess to another.

When the carriagel has reached the outer limit of its movement the handle 20 is operated in the reverse direction and a rearward movement imparted tothe rack bar 15 relatively tothe carriage, thereby rocking the shaft 24 and withdrawing the plungers 21 from the slot in the carriage and thus re- 1 leasing the paper. This rearward movement the rack bar will return. the carriage ,nto

its normal position at the forward end of the writing table and willA cause` those portions of the webs which have been fed forward. to project beyond the carriage. These projecting portions ofthe webs may be detached in any suitable manner. In the presentv instance thevup'per member 11 .of the car? riage has av cutting edge by means of which the projecting portions of the webs are severed by .tearingin a well known manner. By utilizing the upper member or bar 11 of the carriage to sever the` projecting ends of the webs a simple inexpensive cutting device is provided which cannot be easily broken or rendered inoperative.

In .order to prevent any of the several webs from buckling when the paper feedingl carriage is returned to its `normal position and-:to `maintain thev several webs in a fiat position uponthe writing table we have pro-I vided suitable tension devices adapted` to bear uponthe several webs near the forward edge of the writing table, and, in the present form of the invention, these tension devices comprise va plurality lofspring-actuatedvanes or tension fans 39 rigidly secured to a shaft 40 extending transversely to the writing table and journaled in brackets 41 carried by the side members of the main fr'amenear the forward ends there# o-f. A spring 42 `is coiled about the shaft ,40. to move the fans toward'the writing table and anut or head 43 is mounted'on-o-ne end of the shaft@ to enable the same to 'berotated to move the fans away from the table and permit the webs of paper to be passed between the same and the table and to be adjusted relatively one to. the other. In

the preferred form ofthe devicethe top plate 4, which constitutesthe writing table, extends forward beyond the ends o f the side members of the main fra-me, and, when the paper feeding'carriage is inits'normal position, this' forwardly projecting portionl of the top plate will extend into the slot in the carriageand its forward edge will be substantiallyv Hush with the forwardedge 'of said carriage. To permit bf the action of the paper gripping plungers 21 the for-wardl edge of the plate is provided with slots to register with the apertures in the lower member of the carriage in which the plungers 'are mounted. The tension fans-39 extend downward and forward to a point near the top plate and immediately in the rear of lt-he upper-bar, 11 of the carriage and the lower ends of the fans, which are turnedv forward, extend substantially parallel with the top plate and enter the slot inthe can` riage, thus enabling the same to engage the paper'near the forward edge of the writing table. Preferably,the tension fans correspond in number to the number of paper. 4gripping devices on the carriage, and, in

the present instance, we have provided two fans and have arranged thesame adjacent to the kgripping devices. The forwardly extending ends of the fans are bifurcated and extend on the opposite sides of the4 j respective paper gripping devices. The arrangement of the -tenslon fans is such that lthey will not interfere with the forward movement of the paper when the paper feeding carriage is actuated, but will eii'ectually prevent anyof the webs from moving rearward when this carriage is -returned to its normal position. The'upper and lower webs are in engagement with the respective members of the carriage and the friction between the same and. thesemembers has a slight ytendency-to move these webs rearward and. te cause the same to buckleover the writing table. The arrangement of the tension fans above described effectually prevents this',

rearward movement or buckling of the webs -and maintains the webs in their proper relative positions. Suitable tension devices are arranged to engage theseveral webs at the rearend of thewriting table to maintain the said webs taut and flat on the table. In the form of device here shown. these tension devices consist of tension fans 44 mounted Aon rods 45 arranged adjaccntfto and lin a plane below the guide rollers 9 .about which the webs extend. These tension devices .preferably correspond in number to the tension devices at the forward end of the plate and are arranged substantially in alinement with these tension devices, and therebymaint-ain a'uniform tension across the full width of the webs. These tension devices are ad. justable'topermit-the amount of tension to bey regulated, and, to this end, vwe have shown the fans 44 as rigidly secured to the respective rods 45 'and have provided these rods at one end, and on the outer side of the main frame member in which they are jectionsl47 constituting crank arms in which are screw-threaded set screws 48 arrangedto engao'efa bracket orplate v49 arranged immediate y beneath the same. By adjusting mounted, with collars 46 having lateral'prothe screwsin the projections 47 the tension fans 44 will be caused to bear upon their respective webs with more or less pressure. To facilitate the threading ofthe webs about their guide rollers it is necessary that the tension fans should be moved away fromv these rollers and we have provided means to accomplish this movement of the -fans without affecting the adjustment thereof'. To this end we have mounted on the frame member'sl slide plates 50, these plates being preferably mounted in recesses 51 formed in the upper rear` corners of the side membersl ,of the frame and connected thereto by' pins 52 extending through longitudinal slots 53 in the plates. The openinds in the mainv frame members through whlch the rods 45 pass are elongated and the ends of these -rods extend beyond the side membersy of the frame through the plates 50 and have no movement' relatively to these plates other than a rotary movement. Consequently, by moving the plates 50`rearwardly the fans 45 will be' moved bodily away from the ide rollers 9, but the adjustment of the ans will not be affected inasmuch as no vwhich it may be rocked and this arm has movably mounted thereon a spring-pressed pin 57 adapted to engage an aperture in the main frame to lock the arm 56 and the shaft 54 against movement to retain the tension fans in engagement with the webs of dpaper. This pin may also constitute a han e for actuating the arm 56. To control the rolls of paper 5 and revent the same from unwinding faster t an the paper 'is fed forward over the writingl table tension fans 58 may be mounted on the connecting rods 3 and caused to bear against the outer surface of the rolls. v i The operation of the'device has been fully `explained in connection with vthe description of the several parts thereof'and it will.v

I be understood that v after the record has been written on the webs of paper the handle 20 is actuated to feed the several'webs forward a distance equal tothe len h of the forms thereon and is then actuate rection to return the feeding device and allow-those portions of the .webs whchhave been fedfrward to project beyond the car-A riage and the cutting device-carried thereby.l

These formsv are then severed and the operation is repeated.I

, While we'have used the termA writing ina reverse d1-l table in the present description to indicate the flat top plate u on which the several webs of paper rest w ile the record isbeing writtenthereon, it will be understood that this term includes any device which will support the paper while' the record is being made thereon, whether it is made by writingor in any other manner. We further wish it' to be understood that'we.v do not de# sire to 'be limited to the details ofv construction shownand described, for obvious m'odications will occur to a person skilledin the art.

Having thus fully described 'our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

soA

1. In' a device of the character describedk: the combination, with a writing table, Iand ail paper carriage movably mounted near one edge thereof 'and having a paper gripping device, of a rack bar= operatlvely connected with said carriage and movable relatively thereto, a gear meshing with said racklb'ar,

and a connection between said rack bar and said gripping device, whereby the first movement of said gear will actuate said grippin s device and the further movement o sai gear will actuate said carriage.

-2. In a device of the character described, y

the combination, with a writing table, of a carriage movablfy supported-'near 'one edge of said table and comprising two substantially parallel members spaced apart to form a slot Ibetween them to receive the paper, a gripping device mounted `on one of said members and adapted to enter said slot and engage the palper between said members, a toothed bar operatively connected with and movable relatively tosaid carriage, an' operative connection between said toothed bar vand saidgrippin device, and a toothedactuating member or said toothed bar.

'3. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a writing table, and a i paper carriage movably mounted near one.

edge thereof and comprisin two members spaced apart to receivea we of paper, and

plungers reciprocally mounted on, one of said members and'coperating with theotherthereofto grlp sald web of aper, of actuating 'mechanism to move sai carriage away fromiand toward said table, and a connecrtion between said actuatin -mechani'sm and said plungers tofcause sai actuating mechanisirr to move said pluntgers into'e'nga'gement .with said paper be ore ,said carriage 'isumoved-away. from said table and to move the same out of engagement with said paper before said carriage begins its return movement;

4. In a device ofthe character described, the combination, with a writing't'able, a paper carria'gle',v movably supported near one edge of sai table and comprising two members spaced apart to permit the paper to pass bar and said plungers,'wherebysaid plunj gers will be actuated prior to the movement of said carriage, and a toothed actuating member engaging said bar.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a writing table, a pa- Y per carriage movably mounted near one edge of said table, a. plunger movably. mounted 0n said carriage to grip the paper thereon, and a crankarm supported by said carriage and l connected with said plunger, of a rack bar peratively connected with said carriage and ovable relatively thereto, a gearvmeshing with said rack bar, an operatives connection vbetween said rack bar and said crank arm,

whereby, the first movementl of the gear will actuate the plunger and the 'furthermovef` ment thereof will actuate said'carriage, and means to rotate said ear.

6. In a device of t e character described, the combination, with a writing table, and a 'paper carriage movably mounted near one edge of said table, a plura1ity`of plungers movably mounted on said carriage to grip the paper thereon, a rockshaft journaled'on said carriage and a crank armv rigidly secured to said shaft and connected to said plungers, of

a rack bar operatively connected with said. carriage and movable relatively theretoz a.

gear to actuate said rack bar,- an operative connection-between said rack bar and said rockshaft, wherebyv the first movement of Said gear will actuate said plungers and the further movement thereof `wil1 actuate said carriage, and means to rotate said gear.

. 7. Ina device of the character described, the combination, with a writing table, of a paper carriage movably supported near one edgeof said table and comprising two members spaced apart to permit the paper to-pass between them, plungers slidably mounted one of said members and adapted to enter the space between said members andv engage said'paper,` an actuating device for said 'carriage, and an'operative connection between saidv actuating device and said plungers,-

whereby said plungers will-be actuated'prior to the movement of said carriage. v

8. In a deviceof the character described, the'combination,x with a writing table, of a paper carriage movably supported near one edge of said table and comprlsing .two substantially parallel members spaced 'apart to permit the paper to pass between them, one

of said members being pivotally connected at its end' t'o the other of said members, a fastening device to secure the other end of said pivoted member to the corresponding end'of said other member,`a. gripping device mounted on said other member adapted" to l engage the paper in the space between said members, -an actuating device for said carriage, and an operative connectionbetween said opera-ting device and said gripping device.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a writing table, of a paper feeding device comprising a lower r .gear meshing with -esaid :rack bar, and means to actuate said gear,

10. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a` writing'table proof la paper feeding earria eiaving a slot to receive the forwardly e said table and ythe papersupportedthereon, plungersv slidably mounted. on said carriage and-adapted to be movedthrough the relcess'es in said table and to engage the paper above the same, an actuating device for said paperfeeding carriage, and a connectionlbeA tween said actuating. device andsaid plungers, whereby saitll plungersv are actuated prior tothe movement of said carriage.

vided with awforwardly extending portion Y having recesses lin 'the forwardx edge thereof,

nding portion of 11. In a device of the character described, I

the combination, with a writing table pro-- vided with a forwardly extending portionl havingrecesses in the forward edge thereof,

.of a paper feeding carriage having a slot-to receive the forwardly extending portion 'of said table andthe paper supported thereon,

plungers-slidably mounted on said carriage,

adapted Ito be moved through the recesses in said table and to engage the paper above the same, tension .fans supported above saidv table and having forwardly extending, bi-

/furcated portions arranged'to enter said slot andto engage the paper on both sides of the respective plungers, an. actuating device for said paper feeding' carriage, and'a connection between said actuating device and said plungers, whereby saidplungers are a'ct uated prior to the movement-of said carriage.

12. In a device of the character described,

the combination, with a writing table, of a paper. feeding carriage' movably supported -near one edge of said table and having a slot to receive the paper, a plunger movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to enter `said slot and engage the paper-therein= a tension fan supported 'above saidf table and having a forwardly extending'bifurcatedportion arranged to enter the slot in -said carriage and engage the paper on both sides of said papen'grippmg device, an actuating device for said carriage, and an operaarranged to engage i longitudinal line with the corresponding tento said mam sion fans at the forward end of said table.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a Writing table, a paper feeding device arranged near the forward edge thereof, and means for actuating said paper feeding device, of tension de vices arranged to engage the paper near the forward edge of said table, other tension devices arranged to engage the paper nearthe rear edge of said tab.le,`means for` adjusting the tension of thelast mentioned devices, and means for moving said tension devices out of engagement with the paper without affecting the adjusting thereof.

15. 'In' a device of the character described, the combination, with a main frame, a writing table supported thereby, means to support a plurality of rolls of paper beneath said writing table, guide yrollers mounted in said main frame near the rear edge of said writing table, a paper feeding device arranged' near the forward edge of said table, and ,meansv for actuating said paper feeding device, of tension devices arranged to engagethe ward edge of Jsaid tab e, other tension de-` aper near the forvices arranged to engageI the paper as it passes about s'aid guide' rollers, and supporting devices for said tension devices, said supportmgdevicesbeing movable relatively ame.

V16. In a device'of the character described,

the combination, with 'a main frame, v a` writing table supported thereby, means to support 'a plurality of --rolls of paper 'beneathzasaid Writing table, guide rollers mounted in said main frame near the rear edge 4of said writing table, a paper Ifeeding de vice arranged near the forward'edge of said table, and Lmeans for actuating said paper feedln'g device, oftension devices 'arranged to engage the aper near the for-v ward edge-'of said Writlng table, 'a` support-1, late. movably mounted on eachv side ing memer of said main frame,rods mounted 1n sald movable supportingplates and'movable relatively to saidA mam frameftension fans secured to said rods and adaptedto i passes about the respective guideA rollers, rods to adjust the tension of said fans, means to move said supporting plates relatively to said main frame.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a main frame, guide rollers mounted therein, rods arranged substantially parallel to said guide rollers, supporting plates for said rods movably mounted on said main frame, tension fans rigidly secured to said rods, means for rotating said rods to adjust the`t'ension of said fans, and means for actuating said movable supporting plates to move said rods and said fans relatively to said guide rollers.

18. In a device of the character described, a writing table, a paperfeeding device supported'normally near said writing table and having a paper gripping member movably mounted thereon, a supporting member conmovable relatively to the said writing table, a rack bar movably mounted on said supporting member and operatively connected with said paper gripping member, and a toothed actuating memberA meshing with said yrack bar.

19. In a device of the characterdescribed, a writing table, a paper feeding device normally supported near one edge of said writing table and having a paper gripping member movably mounted thereon, a supporting bar secured to said paper feeding device and slidably mounted beneath said writin table, a rack bar slidably mounted on sai supporting bar and operatively connected with said' paper gripping member, and a toothed ,actuating member meshing with said rack bar.

20. In a device of the' character described, a writingstable, a 'paper feding device a toothed actuatingvmember .meshingwith said rack'bar, a rod securedgtdsai' per feeding device extending- Sbst'an'tially parallel with saidsupportm-g bar, abearing.

bracket for'said rod. secured to a fixed support, and astop adjustably-` mounted-on said rod landjadapted -to engagm, said bearing bracket taglimit the'outward i said paper feeding device.

nected with said paper feeding device andl and normally supported near one-.edge (5f-,saidl movement of 21.."In' a-device of/theeharacter described, \a -writmg'table havingaforwardly extend- .ing portion, af: paper feeding carriage hav-- ing a slot torecei've; thel fcrwardly extendsupported -thereon, pa-per gripping: deviees In testimony whereof, .we our Signa.-

arried by saidbfeedingd carriage, nsior tures'inpresence'of tivo witnesses. 10 ans supporte a ove sai Writing'ta e an 5 -having portions extending int'o the slot in said paper feeding carriage, and means to l v move said paper feeding carriage relatively `'Viitnessesp to i said table to move vsaid paper gripping y jM. A. SMITH,- y devices relatively to saidvcarriage. I .A. BURGMEIEB. 

